In the second India-New Zealand Test Series test in Pune, Washington Sundar created headlines on day 1 after registering a career-best figure of 7-59 in First-Class Cricket. Earlier on Day 1, Tom Latham won the toss and decided to bat on a spinning track in Pune. Washington Sundar, who was included in the test squad just three days ago, was the most surprising selection made by the Indian think tank.
Three days ago, Sundar wasn’t even part of India’s Test squad against New Zealand for this series, but he proved this decision of Coach Gambhir and Skipper’s absolute masterstroke with his fine bowling performance on Day 1.
New Zealand gets a decent start on a dry but fresh pitch at MCA Stadium; Tom Latham was the first batsman that New Zealand lost, and after that, Will Young departs at the score of 76. From there, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra steadied the ship and ensured New Zealand wouldn’t lose more wickets in the first session. At the end of the first session on Day 1, New Zealand was in a comfortable situation with a score of 92 for 2.
Conway and Ravindra put 62 runs together for the third wicket before Conway was dismissed by Ashwin. After Conway, Rachin took responsibility for scoring on his shoulders and took New Zealand’s score to 194 runs before being bowled by Washington Sundar. At the time of Tea on Day 1, New Zealand was 201/5.
In the post-Tea Session, the Kiwi batting line-up was shattered like a house of cards as Washington Sundar wreaked havoc, dismissing every Kiwi batter who came to bat in the third session. After Tea, it took just 17.1 overs for India to wrap up New Zealand on 259 runs.
India had to bat for 11 overs in the final session and lost the crucial wicket in the form of Rohit Sharma, who was again dismissed by Tim Southee. The first day’s play in Pune ended with India on 16/1, trailing New Zealand by 243 runs.
Washington was the hero of the day, ending the first inning with a bowling figure of 7/59, registering his first fiver in test cricket and best performance in List A cricket.
